Attached Strings √

Chapter 18

A/N: Wattpad cut Chapter 17 short so the scene continues here.

"Oh, I'm truly sorry." I actually did that on purpose.

"I can think of a better way for you to apologize," she said, batting her eyelashes. What was she doing?

"I'm sure you can," I said sarcastically. I was on my way to the living room when she grabbed my arm.

O-kay.

"Aren't you going to ask how I want you to apologize to me?" she asked, desperately.

"No?" I deadpanned, shaking my arm off her grip in the process. Was she trying to flirt with me?

She came closer to me. "Come on, Paul. You know you want me."

What the... !

"That's where you're wrong, April." I did it again just to annoy her.
"I am not April! What's so difficult in remembering Amber?" she asked in frustration.

"Well, since there's nothing special about you, you are not entirely easy to remember."

She was hurt but she seemed to be a tough nut to crack because she replied and said: "Then let me give you something to remember me about."

"Nah. I'll pass." I told her nonchalantly.

"Paul, what the fuck is wrong with you?! Can't you see that I want you?! Why is it so hard for you to see that? I want you, dammit and I will get you. What do you see in Chloe that you can't find in me? Huh? Answer me!" she said while hitting me on my chest, anger vivid in her voice.
This girl was flirting with me only a minute ago and now she was angry at me and even hitting me.

Bipolar much?

"I forgot to ask you to bring me some wat-" I heard Chloe say and she didn't finish her sentence when she took in the sight before her. Her mouth formed an 'O' shape and she just stood there - completely stationary.

"You...!" Amber said accusingly, her index finger was pointing directly at Chloe and she was approaching her. For a moment, Chloe looked confused but she did take a few steps backwards, smart girl.

"You're the one keeping us apart," Amber spoke, "you're the problem here. It's like he's got eyes for only you but that's about to change right now and, with you dead," she pulled out a pocket knife, "he'll finally be able to look at me."

"What?" Chloe asked as I said, "No!"

"No, Amber, don't kill her. No, she doesn't have to die." I said.

She remained in silent thought for a few moments and I allowed myself to believe that she was actually considering what I had said to her.

"Yes! You're right, baby. Let's not kill her." I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"Let's cut your eyes off," she said and I realised that she was talking to me.

Uh-oh...

"Without your eyes, you'll see no other girl and we'll finally be happy - together," she explained.

"How will I be happy with my eyes cut out?" I heard myself ask.

"With your eyes cut off, we'll be happily in love, Paul and you know what they say about love," I shook my head no (I didn't even want to know), "it's blind..."

The room went silent. I took a glance at Chloe and she had a terrified look on her face and Amber was extremely excited.

"L-love?" Chloe choked out, clearly finding this hard to believe.

"Yes! You've got a problem with that?" Amber was quick as she put the knife on Chloe's neck.

That was when I had decided that it was enough. While her attention was on Chloe, I came at her from behind and thanks to her tiny hands, I held both of them on one hand and I took the knife with my other hand but Amber wasn't having it. She screamed at kicked, trying so hard to get out of my grip but all that was in vain.

"Chloe, quick. Get the rope from the first drawer in the kitchen," I told her and she obliged.

A moment later, she came back with the rope and she handed it to me. Her hands were shaking from fear and I gave her the knife saying: "Here. Take this."

Amber hadn't stopped screaming and I was beyond annoyed. We managed to tie both her hands and feet. I carried her to the backseat of my car. With Chloe on the passenger's seat, we took the crazy girl home.

"Oh, not again!" cried a woman which I assumed to be Amber's mother. "Put her right there," she gestured to one of the couches. Amber had stopped screaming and she just lay there quietly, frequently looking around like she had no idea of what was going on. Her mother explained to us that Amber was suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

"The exact cause of obsessive-compulsive disorders is unknown, but researchers believe that activity in several portions of the brain is responsible," she said. She must have noticed the worried expressions on our faces when she said:

"Obsessions or compulsions that are upsetting and cause difficulty with work, relationships, and other parts of life typically last for at least an hour each day."

"But..." Chloe finally spoke, "how come I've never seen her this way?"

"That's because she usually experiences these episodes at the late hours of the day," the lady clarified.

"So that is why she never wanted us to have sleepovers," Chloe said in realization.

Mrs. Collins, Amber's mother, told us more about the disorder and that it was incurable but she was taking medication. We left and the drive to our place was quiet.

When we arrived, Chloe went straight to bed and so did I. Sleep refused to come and I got up and headed to the kitchen to drink some milk. When I passed by Chloe's room, I stopped abruptly.

There were quiet screams. I immediately opened the door and found her tossing and turning. "No, no, please, don't, please," was what she kept saying while shaking her head. I walked over to her bed and shook her gently.

"Chloe. Chloe, wake up."

She opened her eyes and jumped out of the bed. She was drenched in sweat and it was as clear as day that she was scared. I immediately took her in my arms and made soothing, circular motions with my hand on her back. She started crying.

"Don't cry. It was just a bad dream, okay. I'm here, don't be scared. I'm here."

The rest of the night consisted of me comforting her and telling her that everything would be okay. Before I knew it, we had both fallen asleep in each other's arms.

A/N: Another chapter because I love you. I know it's short but it was just a filler and, oh, I have a surprise for you in the next chapter. It's actually two people and they are going to bring a lotta change in the story...

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I know. ;-)

-Nikita (your political writer)